Over labor day weekend, I rode the Suburban Express home to visit my family. Naturally, since it's a holiday weekend, the bus was crowded, and I had to share a seat with someone I didn't know. At first, we didn't speak at all to each other, but it would've been otherwise an awkward three hour ride, so after 15 minutes, I decided to take the initiative and introduce myself to him...
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." -William Hutchinson Murray
I am glad that I decided to commit myself into making conversation with my neighbor. That one decision has granted me a new friend, a potential business acquaintance, and a skilled opponent. It turns out that we have a lot in common; we are both studying undergrad engineering, we enjoy playing chess, and we live in the same dorm. Since that chance encounter on the bus, we have frequently got together to play chess and discuss about miscellaneous subjects.
Networking is a process of building up and maintaining informal relationships, and this process is first commenced by one taking the initiative to get acquainted with others. It is an essential skill to have in today's society that, to be honest, I myself need to greatly improve. As Murray said, "a whole stream of events issues from [one] decision," one act of initiative, and one simply has to find the courage to create that act. Such is an extension to the realm of possibilities.
I agree with what you said. Sometimes we really have to take the plunge to move things forward. It is wonderful that you took the plunge and made a new friend.
ReplyDelete3 Questions:
1) Why do you consider your new friend a potential business acquaintance? It is interesting to know how you think it might work out.
2) How frequently is "frequently"? Knowing these details could help us understand better.
3) What are the micellaneous subjects discussed? Just curious.
Wow. This is amazing. Who could have guessed that a bus ride would help you meet someone from your dorm that you have so much in common with. Also, that is an impressive quote and you used it very effectively to complement and enhance your blog.
ReplyDelete3 Questions:
It seems a little forward but how did you meet a "potential buisness acquaintance"? Do you really think that you will become that good of friends over the next four years? I ask these two questions because just because you both have similar likes and dislikes and are both engineers doesn't necessarilly make you both good buisness assocites. The third question i have is what skills and attributes do you consider in a "potential buisness aquaintance"?
What kind of engineering do you
Wow, that's amazing... I guess it's a small world after all!!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean a potential business acquaintance?
Would you have talked to him if he was older and didn't appear to have come from our school?
Would you talk to him if he was a businessperson with a serious look on his face?
Where did you find that quote? I really like it.
ReplyDeleteHow did you introduce yourself? I always find it a little awkward to introduce myself to a complete stranger.
Are you both in the same major or in different types of engineering? I couldn't tell from what you said.